Tom Sawyer. Huckleberry Finn. Becky Thatcher. Mark Twain's indelible characters will make their way to the Kennedy Center's Theater Lab when The Adventures of Tom Sawyer begins a four-week engagement Nov. 19.

Tom Sawyer. Huckleberry Finn. Becky Thatcher. Mark Twain's indelible characters will make their way to the Kennedy Center's Theater Lab when The Adventures of Tom Sawyer begins a four-week engagement Nov. 19.

Featuring a book by Ken Ludwig and a score by Don Schlitz, Tom Sawyer will play the D.C. theatre through Dec. 29. The musical, which ran at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre from March 2001 to May 2001, will feature direction by Nick Olcott, who helmed the Kennedy Center productions of The Great Quillow, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good and Very Bad Day.

In conjunction with the mounting of the musical, the Kennedy Center will offer a special series for children 12 and older who are interested in learning about the development of a play. Entitled "Page to Stage," the five-part series begins Oct. 12 and culminates with the musical's official opening night on Nov. 22. The five parts of "Page to Stage" follow:

The Playwright and the Director: Playwright Ludwig and director Olcott will share the process of adapting and directing Twain's classic tale. (Oct. 10, 6-7:30 PM)

Development of the Designs: Discussion about creating costumes, sets and lighting designs. (Oct. 24, 6-7:30 PM) Working Rehearsal: Watch the actors rehearse and then join a discussion about building characters. (Nov. 7, 6-7:30 PM)

Technical Rehearsal: Watch the first technical rehearsal and then ask the director and designers questions. (Nov. 15, 6-7:30 PM)

Opening Performance and Cast Party: Watch The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and then join the cast and creative team at the cast party. (Nov. 22, 7 PM). The "Page to Stage" series is priced at $72. Tickets for individual performances of Tom Sawyer are $13 are available by calling the Kennedy Center box office at (202) 467-4600. For more information, log on to www.kennedy-center.org. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is located in Washington, D.C. at 2700 F Street, NW.